“Baby dumping is rampant especially during the months of July to September – the months are dubbed the ‘baby dumping season’,” he said yesterday.

Nasrudin also said the party would hold a roundtable discussion with non-governmental organisations and political parties on Aug 22 to discuss ways in which all parties could contribute to solving the problem.

He said there had been 15 cases of baby dumping between July and yesterday.

“It is an indication that the ‘mating season’ occurred during the New Year celebrations. We expect more cases between now and September,” he said, adding that the high number of cases of couples caught for khalwat (close proximity) was recorded during carnivals including the Merdeka Day celebrations.

He said the celebrations, which originated from the West, did not “sit well with our country’s traditions.”

“These celebrations put youths in situations involving alcohol and indecent behaviour,” said Nasrudin, adding that the Government should control such celebrations and entertainment outlets.

“These babies are born out of wedlock from irresponsible actions through forbidden relationships. If the babies were born through marriage, they would not be thrown away,” he said.

Nasrudin was responding to a news portal report yesterday quoting PAS Youth deputy chief Azman Shapawi Rani that such celebrations in the country were the main causes of baby dumping.

He urged the Government to look into preventive measures and not only dwell on punishment against the youths.

“They must review the education system to teach youths how to apply their knowledge of subjects like morality in everyday life, rather than merely feeding them information all day in schools,” he said.